Upright-type cleaning appliances

Abstract

A cleaning appliance of the upright type having a cleaning head movable over a floor surface and a body connected to the head, wherein there is provided a means for detecting the attitude of the head and a switch means operable to prevent operation of at least an agitating means, if present, of the appliance if the head assumes an attitude different from a normal operational attitude thereof by more than a predetermined amount.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning apparatus.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. An upright cleaning appliance comprising: a cleaning head movable over a floor surface comprising an agitator, a detector that detects the attitude of the head, and a switch operable to prevent operation of the agitator when the head assumes a predetermined different attitude than a normal operational attitude by at least a predetermined amount; anda body connected to the head.

15. The cleaning appliance of claim 14, wherein the switch prevents operation of a source of suction of the appliance when the head assumes the predetermined different attitude.

16. The cleaning appliance of claim 14, wherein the predetermined different attitude of the head from its normal operational attitude is substantially the same in a forward inclination, a rearward inclination, and a lateral inclination with respect to an axis perpendicular to the head.

17. The cleaning appliance of claim 14, wherein the predetermined different attitude in a forward inclination and a rearward inclination with respect to an axis perpendicular to the head is different than the predetermined attitude in a lateral inclination with respect to the axis perpendicular to the head.

18. The cleaning appliance of claim 14, wherein the switch is operable at an inclination of the head of about 30° from its normal operational attitude.

19. The cleaning appliance of claim 14, wherein the detector means comprises at least one tilt-sensitive switch.

20. The cleaning appliance of claim 19, wherein the at least one tilt-sensitive switch is disposed in the head.

21. The cleaning appliance of claim 19, wherein the at least one tilt-sensitive switch is disposed in the body.

22. The cleaning appliance of claim 14, wherein the switch is operable to prevent operation of the appliance when the body is set in an upright orientation relative to the head of the appliance.

23. The cleaning appliance of claim 22, wherein the switch is not operable to prevent operation of the appliance when the body is in an inclined position.

24. The cleaning appliance of claim 14, wherein the cleaning appliance is a vacuum cleaner.

25. The cleaning appliance of claim 14, wherein the cleaning appliance is an extractor-type carpet cleaner.

26. A cleaning apparatus comprising: a head movable over a horizontal surface comprising a brush rotatably mounted to a body and a sensor operatively engaged with the head, and capable of detecting the orientation of the cleaning head with respect to the horizontal surface; anda motor electrically connected with the sensor and mechanically operable with the brush, wherein the sensor selectively prevents rotation of the brush when the sensor detects a predetermined angle of the head with respect to the horizontal surface.

27. The cleaning apparatus of claim 26, wherein the sensor comprises a first sensor that detects the orientation of the head in a forward direction from the head.

28. The cleaning apparatus of claim 26, wherein the sensor comprises a second sensor that detects the orientation of the head in a first lateral direction from the head.

29. The cleaning apparatus of claim 26, wherein the predetermined angle is greater than about 30 degrees from the horizontal surface.

30. The cleaning apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a body pivotably mounted to the head between an upright position substantially perpendicular to the head and an inclined position at an oblique angle to the head.

31. The cleaning apparatus of claim 30, wherein the sensor only selectively prevents rotation of the brush when the body is in the upright position.

32. The cleaning apparatus of claim 26, wherein the sensor prevents operation of the motor when the sensor detects a predetermined angle of the head with respect to the horizontal surface.

33. The cleaning apparatus of claim 30, wherein the sensor is mounted within the body.

34. The cleaning apparatus of claim 27, wherein the first sensor detects the orientation of the head in a direction opposite the forward direction.

35. The cleaning apparatus of claim 28, wherein the second sensor detects the orientation of the head in a second lateral direction from the head opposite the first lateral direction.